Sentencing of Panayiotou for murder of teacher wife resumes in Eastern Cape

JOHANNESBURG, November 23 – Sentencing proceedings in the murder trial involving Christopher Panayiotou and his two co-accused will resume in the Port Elizabeth High Court on Thursday.
Panayiotou has been found guilty of masterminding the kidnapping and murder of his school teacher wife, Jayde.
On November 17, emotions were running high when Jayde’s sister Toni Inggs read out a heart-wrenching letter telling Panayiotou that her family would never ever forgive him.
“I want you to know that my mom, dad and I will never forgive you,” an emotional Inggs told the court.
“The cowards sitting in this row here today will never be forgiven.”
Inggs was called as the State’s only witness in aggravation of sentence in the Port Elizabeth High Court.
Jayde was kidnapped outside her home while waiting for a lift to work and murdered on the outskirts of Kwanobhule in April 2015. The contract killing was arranged at the behest of her husband.
“So I stand here today with a broken heart, a damaged life and immense anger, you have all won,” she said.
“In fact, you won this selfish game the day you all agreed to murder Jayde. As usual, Chrissy [Christopher Panayiotou] gets exactly what he wanted,” she said demanding that Panayiotou look at her while she address him, which he refused by continuing to keep his head dropped, with his face flushed red.
The case was postponed to Thursday at the request of the defence who was not ready to proceed.
On November 2, Judge Dayalin Chetty convicted Panayiotou for the April 2015, murder of Jayde. It was Panayiotou’s 31st birthday.
Hitman Sinethemba Nenembe was convicted on a charge of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances while co-conspirator Zolani Sibeko was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder.
The remaining counts of conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition and defeating the ends of justice fell away. He was visibly flushed and red in the face as judgement was handed down.

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